יעקב 1:10

Delitzsche Hebrew New Testament

וְהֶעָשִׁיר יִתְהַלֵּל בְּשִׁפְלוּתוֹ כִּי יַעֲבֹר כְּצִיץ הֶחָצִיר׃

Parallel Translations

Hebrew Modern Translation
והעשיר יתהלל בשפלותו כי יעבר כציץ החציר׃

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

in: Isaiah 57:15, Isaiah 66:2, Matthew 5:3, Philippians 3:8, 1 Timothy 6:17

because: James 4:14, Job 14:2, Psalms 37:2, Psalms 37:35, Psalms 37:36, Psalms 90:5, Psalms 90:6, Psalms 102:11, Psalms 103:15, Isaiah 40:6, Matthew 6:30, 1 Corinthians 7:31, 1 Peter 1:24, 1 John 2:17

Reciprocal: Exodus 2:21 - content 1 Samuel 2:7 - bringeth 2 Kings 19:26 - they were Job 8:12 - General Psalms 49:12 - in honour Psalms 58:8 - pass Psalms 86:1 - for I am Psalms 92:7 - wicked Proverbs 27:24 - riches Isaiah 28:4 - shall be Isaiah 37:27 - as the grass of Isaiah 51:12 - man which Isaiah 64:6 - we all Jonah 3:6 - and he arose Habakkuk 3:18 - I will rejoice Matthew 21:20 - How Luke 1:52 - put Luke 6:20 - Blessed Luke 12:27 - the lilies Luke 19:8 - Behold Acts 8:31 - How Acts 8:39 - and he Acts 17:12 - honourable 2 Corinthians 10:17 - General 1 Peter 5:6 - that

Gill's Notes on the Bible

But the rich, in that he is made low,.... That is, the rich brother; for there were rich men in the churches in those times, and which James often takes notice of in this epistle. Such an one should rejoice or glory in his lowness, or low estate; in the consideration of the low estate, out of which he was raised, by the good providence of God, and was not owing to any merit of his; and in the low estate into which he may be at present reduced, through the violence of persecution being stripped of all his riches for Christ's sake, of which he might make his boast, and count it his greatest glory; or in that low estate he may quickly expect he shall be brought into, either in the above manner, or by some calamity or another, and at least by death, which will put him upon a level with others: or this may have respect to the temper of his mind, which he has, through the grace of God, and the station he is in, in the church of God, being a brother, and no more than a brother, and upon an equal foot with the meanest member in it; and which yet is matter of rejoicing, that he is one, and that he is so blessed with the grace of humility, as not to lift up himself above others, not to mind high things, but to condescend to men of low estate; and such a deportment the apostle exhorts rich saints unto, from the consideration of the instability and inconstancy of worldly riches.

Because, as the flower of the grass he shall pass away; shortly, and suddenly; either he himself by death, or his riches at death, or before, and therefore are not to be gloried in; nor should the possessors of them be proud and haughty and elate themselves with them, but should behave humbly and modestly to their fellow creatures and Christians, as knowing that in a short time they will all be upon a par, or in an equal state; See Job 14:2. The metaphor here used is enlarged upon in the following verse, for the further illustration of the fickleness, perishing, and transitory nature of earthly enjoyments.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

But the rich, in that he is made low - That is, because his property is taken away, and he is made poor. Such a transition is often the source of the deepest sorrow; but the apostle says that even in that a Christian may find occasion for thanksgiving. The reasons for rejoicing in this manner, which the apostle seems to have had in view, were these:

(1)Because it furnished a test of the reality of religion, by showing that it is adapted to sustain the soul in this great trial; that it can not only bear prosperity, but that it can bear the rapid transition from that state to one of poverty; and,

(2)Because it would furnish to the mind an impressive and salutary illustration of the fact that all earthly glory is soon to fade away.

I may remark here, that the transition from affluence to poverty is often borne by Christians with the manifestation of a most lovely spirit, and with an entire freedom from murmuring and complaining. Indeed, there are more Christians who could safely bear a transition from affluence to poverty, from prosperity to adversity, than there are who could bear a sudden transition from poverty to affluence. Some of the loveliest exhibitions of piety which I have ever witnessed have been in such transitions; nor have I seen occasion anywhere to love religion more than in the ease, and grace, and cheerfulness, with which it has enabled those accustomed long to more elevated walks, to descend to the comparatively humble lot where God places them. New grace is imparted for this new form of trial, and new traits of Christian character are developed in these rapid transitions, as some of the most beautiful exhibitions of the laws of matter are brought out in the rapid transitions in the laboratory of the chemist.

Because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away - That is, since it is a fact that he will thus pass away, he should rejoice that he is reminded of it. He should, therefore, esteem it a favor that this lesson is brought impressively before his mind. To learn this effectually, though by the loss of property, is of more value to him than all his wealth would be if he were forgetful of it. The comparison of worldly splendor with the fading flower of the field, is one that is common in Scripture. It is probable that James had his eye on the passage in Isaiah 40:6-8. See the notes at that passage. Compare the notes at 1 Peter 1:24-25. See also Psalms 103:15; Matthew 6:28-30.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 10. But the rich, in that he is made low — εν τη ταπεινωσει. In his humiliation - in his being brought to the foot of the cross to receive, as a poor and miserable sinner, redemption through the blood of the cross: and especially let him rejoice in this, because all outward glory is only as the flower of the field, and, like that, will wither and perish.